Right now, it's estimated there are around 162,000 registered charities in the UK today - employing around 765,000 paid workers. What's more, new organisations and initiatives are coming into being all the time, creating an ever-rising demand for new talent.
The jobs are still in high demand and very competitive in this sector. Our advice if you are looking to enter the sector is to consider your options first. Think about what kind of work you'd like to do, and how this correlates with your skills. Be flexible and patient. Take time to explore all the options. Then, once you've decided on an area, draw up a logical game plan.
One major draw is the quality of life you get in the sector. Not-for-profit organisations have been quick to realise the merits of a good work-life balance, they often offer much more flexible working conditions than the private sector.
Opportunities for career progression are huge, especially now that the not-for-profit arena is so diverse. Skills such as strategic thinking, project management, fundraising and public relations, which are core to many voluntary organisations, are now easily transferable throughout the sector.
What kind of work can I do?
Service delivery roles - these roles are at the interface between the organisation’s mission and the people who access the service, for example, social work, counselling, youth work, community work
Fundraising
Volunteer management and co-ordination
Charity management, finance and administration
Policy and research
Marketing, communications and campaigning - organisations rely on getting their message across using different methods such as major public events and through the media
Human resources
Infrastructure roles - there is considerable infrastructure set up to support and regulate this sector, for example, the Charity Commission, the Office of the Third Sector and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
Finance & Accountancy
Executive
There is no doubt that a career with the not-for-profits can be rewarding and stimulating and can offer an employee the chance to not only make the present a better place but to also be part of shaping the future. If you want to find out more about careers in the sector visit our jobs section on the website.